Stator block construction for wire coiling machine



Nov. 10, 1959 H. M. LYDICK 2,

STATQR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WIRE COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

w kpajuw,

Nov. 10, 1959 H. M.'LYDICK 2,912,182

STATOR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WIRE COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 3 I 6 I 5 l I 7 5 5 ,/6/67 IN V EN TOR.

STATOR BLGCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WIRE CGILING MACHINE Harry M. Lydick, Niles, Mich, assignor to National- Standard Company, Niles, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application February 1, 1956, Serial No. 562,739 12 Claims. (Cl. 24282) The present invention relates to wire handling equipment; particularly to improved stator blocks for coiling Wire at the discharge end of wire processing apparatus,

and for accommodating removal of coiled wire Without stopping the apparatus or otherwise interfering with the normal movement of wire therethrough.

Stator blocks accomplishing the above stated func- United States Patent 2,912,182 Patented Nov. 1Q, 1959 setting rollers for automatically setting the wire to the tions are particularly useful in assuring continuous movement of wire through apparatus employed in wire fabrication to increase production rates and to avoid delay of the wire in passing through treating stages in which duration of treatment is of the essence.

Essentially, a stator block comprises a winding head rotatable about a stationary tapered drum or'stator which is journalled on the head shaft, coil guiding means extending outwardly and downwardly from one end of the drum, and coil receiving and storing means replaceably associated with the lower end of the coil guiding means. In use, the leading end of the wire, as it is discharged from the processing apparatus, is threaded through the winding head and anchored to the stator. The head rotates continuously about the stator and winds wire there0n,'successive coils of Wire pushing preceding coils down the taper of the stator until the leading coil or coils gravitate over the guide means and onto the receiver. When one receiver is full, it is replaced by an empty one. While replacement is beinge ifected, the head continues to rotate and wire is coiled upon and retained on the stator, whereby there is no interruption of wire movement through the apparatus.

In theory, the stator block is an effective and eflicient instrumentality for accumulating Wire in orderly fashion at the discharge end of wire fabricating apparatus, without interfering with the normal continuous movement of wire through the apparatus. In practice, however, many problems have been encountered and all the capabilities of stator blocks have not heretofore been realized.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved stator block of economical and practical construction overcoming the problems previously encountered in the art and attaining full theoretical elfectiveness.

Specifically, one object of the invention is to provide an improved stator block facilitating convenient handling of coil receivers and expediting replacement of a full receiver by an empty receiver. In this respect, a primary object is the elimination of the pit or like depressed area which has been required for the coil receiving means in previously known devices, and a further, but

none the less important object is the provision of a carrier for moving receivers into and out of operative association with the wire guide means of the stator block.

Another object of the present invention is to .provide highly simplified means for retaining the stator stationary, and specifically to provide two selectively operable means for positively retaining the stator against rotation in the respective ones of the two operational conditions of the stator block; first means cooperable become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of making and using my improved stator block construction, I shall describe, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the stator block and a preferred manner of making and using the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the stator block construction of' the present invention, the drive means of the construction being omitted in the view;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the stator block construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the stator block construction with certain of the frame elements omitted to reveal the end stator unit, the view showing the drive means of the stator block units and also showing a coil receiver associated with the end unit; I

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of the rotor assembly and stator of the stator block of the invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the rotor and stator showing the setting rollers carried by the winding head; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the cooperative association of a coil receiver with the coil guiding means as afforded according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, my improved stator block construction is shown as comprising, generally, an elongate horizontal frame 10 of predetermined height, a plurality of stator block units 12 mounted horizontally on the upper surface of the frame transversely thereof in spaced parallel relation longitudinally of the frame, each of the units 12 including a rotor assembly 14, a stator 16 and a movable carriage or dolly 18 mounted at the same level as the lower surfaces of the frame 16, drive motor means 20 supported on the frame to drive the rotor of one of the units, and power transmission means 22 extending between the rotors of adjacent units to drive all the units from the means 20.

Theframe 10 may be formed in any desired or customary manner to afford a rigid support for the stator block units 12., According to the invention, the important features of the frame are its complete independence from wire treating or drawing apparatus and its height. I prefer to form the frame 10 of upper and lower frame. sections 28 and 30, respectively. The lower frame 30 is generally of the same height as conventional treating or drawing apparatus adapted to handle a large number of wires and is adapted to be aligned with such apparatus to tion may suitably comprise a pair of relatively widely spaced horizontal base beams 31, relatively closely related longitudinal support beams 32, vertical end struts 33 supporting the beams 32 above and between the beams 31, and horizontal ties 34 extending between the beams 31 and the beams 32 at the ends thereof. At at least one end, the lower frame section 30 supports a plurality of wire guide sheaves 35 for rotation about horizontal axes. Suitably, a plurality of sheaves are mounted on a horizontal shaft 36 which is mounted at its ends on the uprights 33. The number of sheaves on the shaft may vary according to the number of wires discharged from the treating or drawing apparatus with which the frame is associated and may, as shown, be provided in two or t more rows on two or more of the shafts 36, respectively. 1

The upper frame section 28 is mounted directly above the support beams 32 of the lower frame and comprises a pair of longitudinally extending bearing beams 37, a longitudinal bracing beam 38 bridging between the beams 37 and vertical end supports 39 extending upwardly from the lower frame 30 to support the beams 37 and 38 parallel to and a substantial distance above the beams 32. Diagonal end braces 40 further support the upper frame section on the lower one. As will become apparent as the description proceeds, the upper frame also includes a vertical support 41 at each location of a stator block unit .12, the supports 41 extending between the beams 32 and The upper frame section 28, preferably adjacent one end thereof, supports an upwardly extending frame 42 including vertical and horizontal beams 43 and 44, respectively, adapted to support the drive means 20 (Figure 3) a substantial distance above the bearing beams 37 and directly above one of the stator block units 12.

The number of stator block units 12 mounted on the upper section of frame may vary as desired or practical, and a number of frames each carrying a plurality of units may be disposed in end to end relation to accommodate individual coiling of any number of wires received by the guide sheaves 35 of the lower frame section. As illustrated in greatest detail in Figure 4, each stator block unit 12 includes the previously identified rotor assembly 14 and stator 16. The rotor assembly 14 comprises a rotatable shaft 45, a radially flanged hub 46 keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft adjacent but in spaced relation to one end thereof, and a large diameter winding disc or spinner 47 fixed to the flange of the hub. A wire guide sheave 48 is rotatably mounted in the hub 46 for rotation about an axle 49 disposed eccentrically of and at right angles to the axis of the shaft 45, the sheave 48 projecting into a longitudinally extending radial groove 50 in the shaft and through a radially slotted hole 51 in the spinner 47. -At the end of the shaft opposite the spinner, the shaft is provided with a bore 52 communicating with the groove 50, and a wire guide 53, suitably a carboloy ring, is fitted in the bore at the end of the shaft. On the outer surface thereof, the spinner disc 47, adjacent its periphery, carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced setting rollers 54 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The first or leading roller 54 in the direction of rotation of the disc is aligned with the guide sheave 48 to receive wire therefrom. A guide plate or channel 55, comprising a generally U-shaped sheet metal member, is secured, suitably by bolts, to the outer surface of the disc 47 and extends generally radially thereof between the sheave 48 and the leading one of the rollers 54 to guide and shield the wire in its passage therebetween. A wear block 56 is suitably secured within the channel at its inner end adjacent the sheave 48.

The stator 16 is a generally cylindrical metallic casting or the like and comprises a generally cylindrical rim 57 of an outer diameter less than that of the arc defined by the inner edges of the rollers 54, a generally cylindrical hub 58 and a radial outer end face 59 joining the hub and 11m. If desired, reenforcing spokes may also be provided between the rim and hub. The hub 58 is journalled on the outer end of the shaft 45 immediately outwardly of the spinner disc 47 and guide channel 55 by means of a pair of thrust bearings 60, preferably inclined roller bearings. The hub has a stepped bore and the outer races of the bearings 60 engage against oppositely facing shoulders, the hub being retained on the shaft by a circular end plate 61 which engages the inner race of the axially outward bearing and is bolted to the end of the shaft. The central bore of the hub is closed at its outer end by a detachable circular plate 62 bolted to the hub, the plate sealing the bearings 60 against entry of dirt and the like. A flexible annular seal 63 is provided between the spinner hub 46 and the stator hub 58 at the opposite end of the stator for the same purpose. The rim 57 of the stator includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential bead 64 at the axially inward extremity thereof, and the rim outwardly of the bead is tapered to a slight degree from the inner to the outer ends thereof. A small radius fillet joins the peripheral surface of the rim and the outwardly facing surface of the head 64, which latter surface is preferably inclined for a purpose to be described. Adjacent its periphery, the end face 59 of the stator is recessed to define an annular depression, and

circumferentially spaced bolt holes are drilled and tapped rim 65 of a guide frame 66 which is shown in its entirety in Figures 1 to 3. The guide frame 66 comprises the rim 65, which is adapted to be bolted to the stator face, and a plurality of rods 67 projecting outwardly from the rim. The rods are preferably four in number and disposed to extend outwardly, respectively, from the upper, lower and diametrically opposite sides of the rim 57 of the stator 16. At their inner ends, i.e. adjacent the rim 65, the rods 67 define a frame structure of a diameter slightly less than the smallest external diameter of the stator 16, and the four rods converge as they extend outwardly therefrom. All four rods extend outwardly and then vertically downwardly from the stator and terminate at their outer ends in a common substantially horizontal plane. The rods are curved on a relatively gentle are between the horizontal and vertical portions thereof to facilitate sliding thereover of coils of wire, as will be explained in greater detail. At their outer or lower ends, the rods 67 are fixed together by a horizontal frame plate 68. Suitably, the rods 67 are welded at their opposite ends to the rim 65 and plate 68 to constitute a rigid assembly readily bolted to the stator 16 to constitute an outwardly and downwardly projecting extension thereof.

In use, the shaft 45 of each stator unit 12 is rotatably mounted on the upper section of the frame 10 by means of a pair of pillow blocks 69 which are aligned transversely of the frame and bolted respectively to the upper surfaces of the bearing beams 37. The pillow blocks engage and support the shaft at the portions thereof indicated at 70 in Figure 4, whereby the bored or free end of the shaft is supported directly on a beam 37, the opposite end of the shaft projects outwardly beyond one side of the frame and the spinner 47 and stator 16 are mounted to the outside of the frame on said projecting end of the shaft 45. According to the invention, a compact assembly of a number of the units 12 on a frame 10 of minimum length is facilitated by constructing the rotor units in the'manner described and facing adjacent units to opposite sides of the frame with the shaft 45 of a given unit disposed closely adjacent the periphery of the spin- ,port 41 which is positioned under the bored or free end of the shaft 45, i.e., the end opposite the stator 16. A vertical guide sheave 71 is rotatably supported by a bracket 72 on the respective support 41, the sheave 71 of identical sizeand shape.

ber.

extremity of the stator. .-the wire is laid by the trailing roller 54 axially inwardly versely of the sheave 71, is mounted by a bracket 74 on the lower surface of the respective one of the beams 32 substantially vertically beneath the respective sheave 71 and the free end of the respective shaft 45 at each state block unit location.

Wires discharged from a treating or drawing apparatus are each conducted from the apparatus to the lower surface of one of the guide sheaves 35 on the lower section of frame 10. The outboard one of the wires at one side of the frame is led from the outboard sheave 35 at that side of the frame to the first guide sheave 73 encountered at that side of the .frame in the direction of wire movement. The outboard wire at the other side of the frame is similarly disposed, and successive inward wires at each side of the frame are led successively to successive ones of the sheaves 73 at the respective sides of the frame. Each wire is reaved around the lower side of the respective sheave 73 and upwardly therefrom to therespective sheave 71, thence into the bore 52 of the respective shaft 45, through the slot 50, around the inner 'surface of the sheave 48 and through the channel 55 to the leading one of the setting rollers 54 of the spinner or winding head 47 of the respective unit.

The winding head 47 ofeach unit is intended to be rotated with respect to the stator 16 thereof so that the setting rollers 54 will circumscribethe stator and lay wire thereon to coil the wire. To rotate the stator block rotors, the drive means 20 comprises a variable speed motor and reduction unit 75 of known construction including an output shaft 76 rotatable at speeds appropriate to conditions or processes wherein stator blocks are used. The output shaft 76 of the unit 75 is aligned substantially vertically with the shaft 45 of the unit therebelow,

and each of the two shafts has fixed thereto a pair of sprockets 77 and 78, respectively, over which chains 79 are reaved to afford a positive drive between the two shafts. The shaft 45 of the one unit also includes a third sprocket 80 and the shaft 45 of each of the remaining units carries a pair of sprockets 80, all of which are The power transmission means 22 between two adjacent units then preferably comprises a chain reaved over corresponding or longitudinally aligned ones of the sprockets 80 on adjacent shafts as is shown in Figure 1, whereby each shaft is positively connected to the motor unit 75 to be rotated thereby, all shafts being rotated at the same speed and in the same direction. It is preferred that the winding heads 'or spinners 47 be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as the apparatus is viewed in Figure 2, so that the setting rolls 54, as they approach the upper edgeof their path of movement, are moving toward the head end of the frame, i.e. opposite the direction of wire feed to the frame, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2. As will be appreciated, the setting rollers 54 on adjacent units are thus required to be disposed on opposite hands, and for this purpose, I provide right and left hand spinner discs or winding heads 47.

The setting rollers 54 may suitably be four in num- The leading roller is disposed at an inclination to the plane of rotation of the spiner 47 toreceive wire directly from the guide channel 55 and to conduct the wire axially outward of the spinner to a position radially outward of and overlying the head 64 on the stator n'rn 57. The wire is reaved over the leading roller, under the second roller, over the thirdrroller, and under the fourth roller, and is then laid onto the inclined outer face of the stator head .64 by the fourth, last, or trailing one of the rollers 54. As the winding head and rollers are rotated about the stator, the wire is coiledonto the inner As the second coil is started,

shaft of the fourth setting roller is preferably adjustably mounted in an arcuate slot 81 in the disc 47 to accommodate adjustment of the angle at which the wire is laid onto the stator. When a wire is originally threaded through the stator block in the manner described hereinbefore, the leading end of the wire is led off the trailing setting roller 54 and tied to one of the rods 67 of the guide .frame 66 to anchor the wire and accommodate coil ing of the wire onto the stator. To receive wire coiled upon the stator 16 of each unit, a receiver 82, known as a swift, is provided. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the swift 82 comprises a horizontal base preferably formed of elongate straps 83, a plurality of longitudinal struts 84, preferably four, extending upwardly from the base straps 83 inwardly of the outer ends thereof, and a horizontal upper frame, preferably comprising short criss-crossed straps 85, provided at the upper end of the struts 84 and extending therebetween. As thus formed, the swift generally comprises a framework reel open or having no head at one end thereof. To facilitate handling, particularly when loaded with wire, the swift includes a U-shaped handle 86 extending upwardly from the upper frame straps 85 at the center of the swift. At its upper end, the width or diametrical dimension of the swift is equal to or less than the corresponding dimension of the lower end of the guide frame 66, and the swift is adapted to be positioned immediately thereunder.

As the wire is coiled onto the statorrof a given unit, succeeding coils push the preceding coils along the stator until 'the coils ultimately gravitate over the curved rods 67 of the guide frame 66 and downwardly onto the swift 82, where the coils are accummulated or stacked up, During coiling and accu'm sive internal locking'arrangements have been contemplated, reliance has been placed principally on the gravitational influence of the guide frame on the stator to retain the stator stationary. According to the present invention, the stator is positively retained against movement when a swift is in position by the simple expedient of using the swift as an external lock. Specifically, according to the invention, locked cooperation of the swift and guide frame is accomplished by virtue of two cooperative mechanical features. In the first instance, the swift is of a height and is so positioned that the upper frame 85 thereof is disposed immediately beneath the lower frame 68 of the guide frame 66 and both frames include normally aligned portions extending to the trailing edge of the guide frame in the direction of movement in which the spinner 47 tends to rotate the stator, and guide frame.

The trailing edge of the frame 68 thus tends to move downwardly toward the swift and bears downwardly on the swift frame 85, which force is transmitted vertically downwardly by the swift andexerts nohorizontal. force component of the swift that would tend to move the same.

Thus, the swift retains the guide frame and stator against rotation. Moreover, the frames 68 and 85 of the guide fitted positively to lock the two members together. The

socket means 87 preferably comprises a nut which is welded in position on the lower frame 68 of the guide frame 66, and the lock pin 89 preferably comprises a screw threaded through the nut and extending downward to engage socket 88 on the swift, thus furnishing, in one 'unit, combined locking, aligning and levelling means.

Since force exertion is downward, the lock pin or screw will not be disengaged from the socket 88, but positively locks the guide frame to the swift when the swift is in position. The screw is disposed entirely within the marginal confines or peripheries of the swift and guide frame and therefore does-not obstruct or interfere with the movement of wirecoils over the guide frame and onto the swift.

When the swift has been filled with wire, it is removed from under the guide frame 66 and an empty swift is substituted therefor. During the interim in which swift replacement or substitution is being effected, the stator block should positively be retained against rotation. To

this end, I provide a stator lock on the frame of the apparatus for each unit. The lock comprises a generally cylindrical lock bolt 90 mounted for reciprocation in a tubular guide 91. The guide 91 has an elongate slot therein having a bayonet extension at its upper end. The bolt 90 includes a rod-like handle 92 extending radially therefrom through the slot in guide 91. Normally, due to its weight, the bolt 90 is disposed at its lowermost position in the guide, which position is defined by engagement of the handle 92 with the lower margin of the slot. The guide 91 is mounted vertically beneath the respective stator 16 on a horizontal supporting bar 93 which extends transversely of the frame 10 and is adjustably mounted on the support beams 32. As thus mounted, the upper end of the lock bolt 90 is normally spaced from the periphery of the stator and does not interfere with movement of coils of wire thereover. The rim 57 of the stator is provided at the outer extremity and lower surface thereof with a radial hole 94 aligned with and of a diameter to receive the bolt 90. When the bolt is moved-upwardly in its guide, the upper end thereof enters the hole 94 to lock the stator 16 to the frame 10, the bolt being locked in this position by movement of its handle into the bayonet slot extension. Thus, the lock bolt positively retains the stator stationary during swift replacement. Moreover, the lock bolt 90 during this period prevents Wire coiled onto the :stator subsequent to its engagement in the stator from being pushed off the stator and over the guide frame 66, whereby the coils of wire are accumulated neatly on the stator and do not become tangled or fouled while the swifts are being changed.

In changing a swift, the stator is locked by the bolt 90 as described, and one of the wire coils between the swift and stator is severed. The new leading end of the wire is then tied to the guide frame, and the original'leading end of the wire is cut therefrom. The lock pin or screw 89 is removed at least from the socket 88 on the swift, and the swift and wire coils thereon are then free to be moved away from the guide frame.

To facilitate replacement'or' substitution of swifts, the present invention provides, as part of each stator block unit, a swift carriage or dolly 18 which is movable in a predetermined or fixed, substantially horizontal path into and out of verticalalignment with the vertical portion of the respective guide frame. Preferably, each dolly comprises a wheeled carriage pivotally mounted for movement in a fixed arcuate path. In the preferred embodiment, a vertical pivot pin 96 mounted on a base plate 97 is disposed in predetermined fixed relation to the respective stator block unit adjacen t the stator end of the unit, the plate suitably being bolted to the horizontal work" pivot pin and the vertical axis of the guide frame, but is less than the distance between alternate stator units on the frame so that the arcuate path of movement of one carrier does not interfere with or intersect the path of arcuate movement of the next adjacent carriage. At its outer end, the beam 98 carries a generally arcuate transverse beam 99 which has a curvature approximating the arc struck by the beam 98. At its outer ends, the trans verse beam rotatably mounts a pair of wheels or rollers 100 which are disposed generally on the arc of movement defined thereby upon pivotal movement of the carriage. Preferably, the beam 99 at one edge thereof abuts against the base beam 31 of the frame 10when the carriage beam 98 is disposed to intersect the vertical axis of the guide jframe, thus positively to define the inner position of the carriage. An equivalent swift dolly could suitably comprise a four wheel carriage mounted for straight line horizontal movement longitudinally of the respective stator unit. Such carriage could, if desired, be mounted on a pair of tracks to be positively guided thereby, the tracks in turn being mounted in spaced parallel relation longitudinally of the stator unit on the samesurface on which the frame .10 is rested. Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment of the swift dolly, at the point at which the vertical axis of the guide frame 66 intersects the carriage beam 98, a vertical axle 101 is secured to the beam 98. For cooperation with this axle, each swift 82 includes an axial tubular hub 102 in the lower portion thereof to be positioned over the axle. The axle thus centers the swift on the carriage and automatically aligns the same vertically with the guide frame when the carriage is moved to its inner position. Moreover, the axle rotatably mounts the swift to facilitate rapid alignment of the socket 88 thereon with the socket means or nut 87 and the lock screw or pin 89 on the guide frame.

To assist in alignment of the swift with the guide frame, the lower frame plate 68 of the guide frame is slotted, as indicated at 103, generally in alignment with the arcuate path of movementof the axle 101, the handle 86 of the swift entering into the slot to be centered therein and thus centering the swift on the guide frame. Due to the location of the pivot axis of the swift dolly with respect to the guide frame, the frame rods 67 do not lie in the path of movement of the swift handle.

The dolly facilitates movement of a full swift out from under the guide frame, and in an outer position, say 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 1, freely exposes the swift for convenient removal by means of a hoist.o r the like. An empty swift is then placed on the axle 101 and the dolly is swung into position automatically to center the swift on the guide frame. Alignment of the nut 87 and socket 88 is quickly effected and the screw 89 is turned into position to lock the swift and guide frame together. The lock bolt 90 is then lowered, and wire is coiled onto the new swift, the entire substitution of swifts being effected in a few seconds with a minimum of laborone workman in fact being able to supervise and handle the entire output of a large number of stator block units.

As pointed out hereinefore, an important feature of the present invention is the elimination of the pit or like depressed area heretofore required in stator block constructions to accommodate the wire receiving means or swifts. Such construction obviously necessitated specifically designed buildings, or the substantial and expensive revamping of existing buildings, to house the height that is independent of and not limited to the design of conventional wire treating and drawing apparatus. By virtue of such construction, the stator block units are elevated above the floor or other supporting surface of the building in which they are housed to such extent as to accommodate tall swifts and the swift dollies,

"the swifts being of a size to carry several hundred pounds of coiled wire. In addition, the stator block construc- "tion of the invention facilitates mounting of the swift dollies on the same surface as the frame so that the dollies and the swifts thereon are readily accessible and constantly in full view, and whereby there is no need to move the stator or guide frame to accommodate insertion and removal of swifts.

While I have shown and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

' I claim:

-1.QA stator block construction comprising an elongate horizontal frame of predetermined height; a plurality of stator block units mounted horizontally on the upper surface of said frame transversely thereof in spaced parallel relation; each unit including ashaft journalled on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacent end of said shaft, a stator journalled on said end of said shaft, a guide frame extending outwardly and vertically downwardly from said stator, and a swift dolly 'pivotally mounted at the same level as the lower surface of said frame for arcu-ate horizontal movement into and out of vertical alignment with said guide frame, the axis of movement of said dolly being disposed outwardly and to one side of said guide frame; said units being mounted on said frame with the stator, guide frame and dolly of adjacent units disposed to opposite sides of said frame and with the shafts thereof disposed closely adjacent the periphery of the winding heads of the adjacent units to afford a compact assembly; the radius of the arc of movement of the dollies being less than the longitudinal spacing of alternate units longitudinally of said frame;

a .drive motor for the shaft of one of said units; and

power transmission means extending between the shafts of adjacent units to drive said units from said motor. 7 w 2. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journalled generally horizontally on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of saidframe in spaced relation to the adjacent end of said shaft, a stator journalled on said end of said shaft adjacent said head, a guide frame mounted on said stator including a verticaliydepending portion, and a swift adapted to be replaceably associated with said guide frame in vertical alignment with said portion thereof, the improvement comprising that said guide frame includes adjacent its lower end a lower frame means and said swift includes an upper frame means disposed closely adjacent and immediately below said lower frame means of said guide frame when said swift is vertically aligned with said guide frame, said lower frame means of said guide frame including a portion extending to the trailing edge of said guide frame in the direction of rotation in which said winding head tends to move said stator and said guide frame,

'said portion bearing vertically downward on said upper f ame means of said swift to retain said guide frame and said stator against rotation.

3. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journalled on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacent end of said Shaft, a stator journalled on said end of said shaft adjacent said head, a guide frame mounted onsaid stator, and a swift adapted to be replaceably associated' with said guide frame, the improvement comprising cooperable fastening means on said swift and said ably connecting said swift to said guide frame :to retain said guide frame and saidstator against rotation.

.4. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journalled generally horizontally on said frame, a winding head so cured to said shafttto one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacent end of saidtshaft, a stator journalled on said end of said shaft adjacent said head, :a guide frame mounted on saidstator includinga vertically depending portion, and .a swift adapted tosbe replaceably associated with said guide frame :in vertical alignment with said portion thereof, the improvement comprising that said guide frame includes adjacent its lower end a lower frame means and .said swift includes an upper frame means disposed closely adjacent and immediately below said lower frame means of said guide frame when said swift is vertically aligned with said guide frame, said lower frame means of said guide frame adjacent the trailing edge thereof in :the direction of rotation in which said winding head tends to move said stator and said guide frame bearing vertically downward .on said upper 5. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journalled .on said frame, awinding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacentend of said shaft, a stator journalled on said end of said shaft adjacent said head, a guide frame mounted'on said stator, and a swift adapted to be replaceably associated with said guide frame the improvement comprising cooperable fastening means on said swift and said guide frame within the marginal confines thereof detachably connecting said guide frame to said swift to retain said guide frame and said stator against rotationwhen a swift is associated with said guide frame, and a lock for said stator comprising "a member movably mounted on said frame to the exterior of said stator adjacent the outer extremity of the peripheral surface thereof, said member normally being spaced from said stator to accommodate movement of wire over said stator and said guide frame onto said swift, said member being movable into engagement with the peripheral portion of said stator to retain the same against movement and to retain coils of wire thereon, thus to facilitate removal :of one swift and replacement of the same by another without stopping the operation of the winding head and without danger of fouling the wire coiled by the head during swiftreplacement.

6. A stator block construction comprising a horizontal frame and a stator bloclc unit associated therewith, said "unit comprising a shaft journalled on said frame, a wind ing head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame, a stator journalled on the end of said shaft outwardly of said head, a guide frame extendingoutward and vertically downward from the outer end of said stator, a fixed vertical pivot pin disposed adjacent but vertically below said guide frame, a swift dolly pivoted on said pin for horizontal movement in an arcuate path from a first position beneath said guide frame to a second position outwardly thereof, said dolly includinga' fixed vertical axle aligned.-

" frame at the outer end thereof including horizontal frame means disposed immediately above the frame means of the swift, said horizontal frame means including socket guide frame, said socket means being disposed at the trailing side of said guide frame in the direction in which said head tends to rotate said stator and guide frame whereby that portion of said guide frame bears down on said swift, detachable pin means receivable in the aligned socket means on said swift and guide frame to retain said stator stationary when the swift is associated with said guide frame, said winding head being rotatable with respect to said stator and including a portion projecting radially beyond the periphery'of said stator, a plurality of setting rolls rotatably mounted on said portion of said head to set wire to the diameter of said stator, said stator having a tapered surface, the last of said setting rolls laying wire onto the inward extremity of said stator to coil wire thereon succeeding coils of wire pushing preceding coils outwardly along said surface whereupon the said preceding coils gravitate over said guide frame onto said swift, and a lock bolt movably mounted on said frame in alignment with said stator, said bolt being movable into engagement with the stator to retain said stator stationary and accommodate detachment of said pin means from the socket means on said swift to accommodate in turn movement of said dolly and the swift thereon to said second position wherein the one swift may be removed from the dolly and another swiftsubstituted therefor, said bolt when engaging said stator retaining coils of wire on said stator during substitution of swifts to prevent falling of the wire during that period.

7. A stator block construction as set forth in claim 6, said frame being elongate, of predetermined height and independent, a plurality of said stator block units mounted on said frame transversely thereof in spaced parallel .relation, said units being mounted on said frame with the stators thereof facing alternately to opposite sides of the frame and with the shafts thereof disposed closely adjacent the periphery of the winding heads of the adjacent units tov afford a compact assembly, said frame being of a height to space the lower extremity of the guide frame of each unit above the surface on which the frame is rested by a distance at least equal to the height of said swift and said dolly, the dolly of each unit resting on the surface on which saidframe is rested, the radius of the arc of dolly movement being less than the distance between two alternate units, a drive motor mounted on said frame and operatively connected to the shaft of one of said units to rotate said shaft, and power transmission means extending between the shafts of adjacent units to drive said units from said motor.

8. A stator block comprising a frame, a shaft journalled on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame, a stator journalled on the end of said shaft adjacent said head, said winding head including a portion extending radially beyond said stator, a plurality of setting rollers rotatably mounted on said portion of said head, said rollers being disposed in circumferentially spaced relation to one another and setting wire passing thereover to the diameter of said stator, said stator having a tapered surface, the last one of said rollers initially laying wire onto the inner extremity of said stator surface, a guide frame mounted on said stator including a vertically depending portion, a swift adapted to be replaceably associated with said guide frame in vertical alignment with said portion thereof, said swift and said guide frame being disposed adjacent one another and including cooperable fastening means within the marginal confines thereof detachably connecting said guide frame to said swift to retain said stator against rotation, successive coils of wire laid on said surface of said stator by said last roller pushing preceding coils of wire along said surface, whereupon the said preceding coils of wire gravitate over said guide frame and onto said swift to be accumulated thereon, and a secondary lock for said stator comprising a member movably mounted on said frame to the exterior of said stator adjacent said surface to-retain the same against movement, thus to accommodate replacement of a filled swift by an empty swift without permitting movement of the stator during swift replacement, said member also retaining coils of wire on said stator during swift replacement to prevent tangling of the wire.

9. In a stator block, a rotor and stator unit comprising a rotatable shaft, a disc keyed to said shaft for rotation therewith, a generally cylindrical stator rotatably mounted on said shaft outwardly of said disc, a guide roller journalled on said disc for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of said shaft, said roller protruding through said disc in alignment with said shaft, said shaft to the side of said disc opposite said stator being bored longitudinally thereof to define a wire guide aligned with said roller, said roller conducting wire through said disc to the side thereof adjacent said stator, a guide channel fixed generally radially to the surface of said disc adjacent said stator in alignment with said guide roller, a plurality of setting rollers mounted adjacent and in circumferentially spaced relation to one another adjacent the periphery of said disc on the side thereof adjacent said stator, the first one of said setting rollers being inclined with respect to both the axis and the plane of rotation of said disc and being aligned with said guide channel to receive wire therefrom, said stator having a tapered peripheral surface of a diameter less than that of said disc, the last one of said rollers being aligned generally with the inner extremity of said tapered surface to lay wire thereon, said setting rollers setting the wire into coils of a diameter equal substantially to the diameter of said stator.

10. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journaled on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the end of said shaft, and a stator journaled on said endof said shaft adjacent said head, said head being rotatable with respect to said stator to coil wire thereon and the coiled wire normally sliding over the stator onto a replaceable swift, the improvement comprising a lock for said stator comprising a lock bolt movably mounted but fixedly retained on said frame to the exterior of said stator adjacent the outer extremity of the peripheral surface thereof, said bolt normally being spaced from said stator to accommodate loading of a swift, said stator having a hole in its periphery aligned with said bolt, said bolt being movable into said hole to lock said stator to said frame and to retain coils of wire on said stator during replacement of the swift;

11. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journaled generally horizontally on said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacent end of said shaft, a stator journaled on said end of said shaft adjacent said head, a guide frame mounted on said stator including a vertically dependent portion, and a swift adapted to be replaceably associated with said portion of said guide frame in vertical alignment therewith, the improvement comprising a swift carriage movably mounted on a horizontal working surface at a distance below the lower extremities of said guide frame equal approximately to the height of the swift, said carriage being mounted solely for gen erally horizontal movement on said surface into and out of vertical alignment with said guide frame, said carriage including means cooperable with the swift for retaining the swift against tilting, said guide frame including adjacent its lower end a lower frame means, said 'swift including an upper frame means disposed closely adjacent and immediately below said lower frame means of said guide frame when said swift is aligned with said guide frame, said lower frame means of said guide frame includinga portion extending to the trailing edge thereof in the direction of rotation in which said winding head tends to move said stator and said guide frame, said portion bearing vertically downward on said upper frame means of said swift andsaid swift bearing vertically downward on. said carriage to retain said guide 'frame and said stator against rotation.

12. In a stator block having a frame, a shaft journaled horizontally on the upper portions of said frame, a winding head secured to said shaft to one side of said frame in spaced relation to the adjacent end of said shaft, a stator journaled on said end of said shaft, a guide frame extending outwardly and vertically downwardly from the stator, a swift movable relative to the guide frame and adapted to constitute a vertically downward extension of said guide frame, and a carriage for said swift; the improvement comprising that said frame is of a height to space the lower extremities of said guide frame a distance above the surface on which the frame is rested slightly greater than the combined height of said swift and said carriage, and that said swift carriage comprises a swift dolly pivotally mounted on the same surface as said frame for arcuate movement in a horizontal plane into and out of vertical alignment with said guide frame, whereby said dolly moves the swift into and out of cooperative relation with said guide frame solely by horizontal movement of said dolly and said swift and without necessity for raising or lowering the swift or said carriage and without moving said guide frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 370,688 Daniels Sept. 27, 1887 854,807 Daniels May 28, 1907 1,825,214 Swank Sept. 29, 1931 2,216,224 Bruestle Oct. 1, 1940 2,607,541 Morgan et al. Aug. 19, 1952 2,703,686 Bell Mar. 8, 1955 2,716,007 Scott Aug. 23, 1955 2,796,220 Stahl et a1. June 18, 1957 

